Can we talk about how most people sand drywall wrong?

I helped my buddy finish his basement in Omaha last spring and he kept using those cheap sanding sponges from the hardware store. They just gum up and leave swirl marks everywhere. He was ready to prime after one pass and I had to stop him. I learned the hard way on my own house that you gotta use a pole sander with 120 grit mesh paper for the big flat areas. The mesh doesn't clog up like regular paper does. Then for the corners you need a sanding block and go slow. Took us an extra two hours but the walls came out smooth as glass. Has anyone else dealt with a friend who refuses to listen about sanding technique?

3 comments

3 Comments

wesley8314d ago

@jake191 yeah man, the joint compound makes a huge difference. The pre-mixed stuff in tubs is way dustier and clogs paper fast, but the hot mud sets harder and sands cleaner. I switched to 90-minute powder mix and my sanding game changed completely.

jake1912mo ago

Would the type of joint compound make a difference in how easy it clogs the sandpaper?

angelac632mo ago

Yeah, the lightweight stuff gums up way faster in my experience. It's softer and seems to melt into the paper instead of turning to dust. You end up changing sheets twice as often.